THE LOW DOWN: My favourite wines from the previous two releases were Côtes du Rhône, and now this release features that region (the southern Rhône). Yippee!! My five picks this week are out-and-out charmers. So warm and cuddly you may not want the winter to end.
I’m also recommending a pair of New World rich reds that are crafted with the northern Rhône Grape, the Syrah. From the Kosher feature there’s a lovely, mid-range, South African Chardonnay, and a superb Cava from Spain.
WHITES
wine style: fresh, sparkling white
ELVI WINES Cava ‘Adar’, Spain 156737 $17.95
Classic Champagne-style sparkling at a bargain price. Yeasty and super refreshing. A super wine to kick-off any event. Kosher.
wine style: fresh white
MASSERIA ALTEMURA 08 Fiano, Puglia, Italy 159475 $13.95
Lovely mineral freshness, pure, delicate flavours and gulpability. The Fiano grape is an Italian original. Ideal summer house wine.
wine style: fresh white
PLANALTO 08 Douro, Portugal
586420 $13.95
Here’s a crisp refresher to bring out on a summer’s evening. Shades of Sauvignon Blanc, but different.
wine style: nice ‘n easy white
VINELAND ESTATES 07 Riesling ‘St. Urban’, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 38117 $20.00
Dry Riesling that feels a touch sweet because the flavours are honeyed and delicious. Spring-like purity and a carefree feeling. Low alcohol. An afternoon, or anytime sipper.
wine style: fresh/nice n’easy white
BACKSBERG 09 Chardonnay, Paarl, South Africa 156661 $16.95
This non-oaked Chardonnay delivers freshness, fruitiness and friendliness. Feels classy too. Just a lovely glass of wine. Kosher.
wine style: rich white
CHRISTOBAL 09 Chardonnay ‘1492’ Mendoza, Argentina 144402 $11.95
A real crowdpleaser. Fruity, spicy and slightly sweet – yummy. Partygoers delight.
wine style: rich white
MARGAN 08 Chardonnay, Hunter Valley, Australia 141986 $15.95
Aussie Chard with a down to earth feeling. Refreshing too. A good drink and, a good food partner. Very bistro.
wine style: rich white
PELLER ESTATES 07 Chardonnay ‘Private Reserve’, VQA Okanagan Valley 618298 $17.95
Super, super rich Chard for a lot less than twenty dollars. Huge concentrated, vanilla sweet flavours – the Jack Daniels of white wine. A sipper.
REDS
wine style: rustic red
ASCHERI 08 Barbera d’Alba ‘Fontanelle’, Piedmont, Italy 982462 $17.95
The vigour and vitality of Italy. Gutsy, up-and-at-them wine. To start your evening and to partner with traditional tomato sauced foods.
wine style: rich red
DOMAINE de DIEUMERCY 07 Côtes du Rhône, France 155507 $12.95
Warm feelings combined with spicy, peppery, earthy flavours. Very nourishing. A lot of wine character for the price. Any food, anytime.
wine style: rich red
LES VIGNERONS de ROAIX 07 Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 156000 $13.95
Rich, lush and concentrated. A best friend on Winter nights. Luxury at an everyday price.
wine style: rich red
TERRES d’AVIGNON 07 Côtes du Rhône ‘Les Cardinalices’, France 155473 $14.95
All the lovely Rhone features with a lively, gutsy feeling. Dangerously gulpable. Get two bottles, cook dinner and live the bistro life.
wine style: rich red
DOMAINE SAINT-PIERRE 06 Vacqueyras, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 130013 $25.95
A whopper of richness, spicy flavours and charm. Deep, dark and mysterious. Be prepared to be seduced. A Middle Eastern style lamb dish would be heavenly. Or just hit the couch.
wine style: rich red
CAVE de RASTEAU 07 Gigondas ‘Ortas’, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 155440 $23.95
Here’s another couch red. Smooth, super rich and yummy. Fireside in a glass.
wine style: rich red
CONO SUR 07 Syrah ‘Vision’, Chile
24661 $15.95
Rich meets rustic. Chile meets France. Big wine with an earthy tang. Rich wine that’s good with food. Cono Sur scores again.
wine style: rich red
LOMOND ESTATE 08 Syrah, Cape Agulhas, South Africa 146464 $19.95
Another New World red with a French feeling. There’s vitality to partner the dark, earthy flavours. Could be aged a year or two.
Trapiche is red hot. Argentina’s biggest winery has upped the ante to compete with the country’s new upstarts and is sending us fantastic wines. The 09 Syrah combines peppery flavours with richness, and a down-to-earth feeling. The perfect formula for house wine. Because it’s good-with-anything.
